Possible first infection

[Broken35]

I started dating someone whom I really liked, he insisted I get checked for std’s. I did and to my complete and utter surprise I came back HSV 1 & 2 positive. That was 2 days ago.

In February of 2013, approximately 6 months after being with my previous partner, I went to the doctor because I had a “bladder infection”. I also recall feeling an extreme itch on the inside. I would describe it as wanting to stick a pipe cleaner up my urethra. My urine was tested, no bacteria, also no yeast infection or any other stds which I was examined for. The bladder infection feeling went away, but came back again in April. Several tests, no sign of infection, but then after my constant insisting I wasn’t right, some bacteria appeared in a urine sample. Went back again in June for same bladder infection symptoms, and then again in August of 2013. I even went to a urologist because the nurse thought I might have interstitial cystitis. I described these symptoms to the nurse who has been taking to me since my diagnosis and she insists these don’t sound like symptoms and said she has never heard of itching being a symptom of HSV-2. I have never experienced recurring bladder infections.

After that, I recall getting one boil on my inner buttocks that was extremely painful and at some point I remember having a painful ingrown hair. This has all been since the suspicious unresolved bladder infections. I feel confident that I have isolated it to the above.

What are your recommendations for taking meds? I don’t know, I want to participate in a clinical trial. I would like to understand all that I can about this since I will have to cope the rest of my life.

Lastly, I had protected sex with the person I started dating two times. I have no symptoms and thought I had never had symptoms till I spent the last two days analyzing every possible scenario. I also gave him oral 2 times. Again, no symptoms. I don’t recall ever having a cold sore in my life. What are the chances I gave it to him. He had a blood test on Monday 9/14. I’m concerned if he comes back positive on either he will blame me despite the fact he told me he had a previous partner that had visible cold sores. I’m afraid I won’t hear his results. He has stopped communicating with me since I told him my results.

What are some real support groups? I feel like I can barely cope. It’s as if two days ago life was blissful and great and now I’m completely broken.

A married a man I met a church – I waited till I was 33. I found out he was cheating on my before we were married, I got our marriage annulled, and now this. A lifelong parting gift, as if he didn’t take enough from me already! I’m hurt. When will this pass?

[Terri Warren]

So do you have the index values for your test results? If yes, could you please send them to me? That would be very helpful in understanding your actual situation.

It is certainly possible that your UTI symptoms are actually herpetic urethritis, herpes of the urethra but swab testing would help sort that out.

Since more than 56% of adults between 14-49 have HSV 1, there is a good chance that your partner is already positive. When did you have sex with him?

Terri

[Broken35]

August 25th and then again on September 12th.

I didn’t receive any numerical values with my lab results. I asked for them after reading many of the comments. I’ll consider asking to test again.

I feel like I’m attempting to find symptoms, yet don’t believe I have really had any. For the last 3 days now all I can think about it this. Every itch, twinge, tingle, or discomfort I convince myself is a symptom. This makes me think I need to get on suppressive medication for the rest of my life.

I too worry about infecting my child just like many others on here. I’ve read your response many times, but it doesn’t relieve the worry. I definitely feel there needs to be much more discussion about this in the medical field. I don’t understand why they wouldn’t regularly test for this sort of thing. I’m afraid of people finding out and their judgement. I would hate to pass this on to another, but then, what am I worried about, 4 days ago, I was fine. Blissfully unaware, joyfully living life. Now I feel diseased, despair, and like this will be what others see. When the first old me, I was afraid to use the toilet. When I kiss my son, my niece, my nephew, I’m afraid to kiss with my lips. This is awful!

None of the times I went to the doc for my bladder infections did someone look at my urethra. Other than when my bladder was scoped at the urologist and at that time I wasn’t feeling any discomfort.

Are there no clinical trials right now? I want to do whatever I can to be educated and informed, reduce the spread, and to inform and educate others.

[Terri Warren]

Do you live in the US? If yes, then it would be helpful to rule out a false positive, to have those index values. You can order your own test online if you are unable to obtain your index values. What lab did your testing? If you can’t get your index values now then it would be pointless to use the same lab again, right?

So let’s step back a minute. Aside from your UTI symptoms, you’ve been well and without symptoms, right? So that’s how herpes is for you then. Just like you were before. Yes, you will need to disclose your herpes to future sex partners if indeed you have HSV 2, but if you are having no cold sores, you are at no risk of infecting your child or others you kiss casually like your nephew or niece. You are not going to infect your household members with whom you are not sexual. It would be good if you could read about stigma and decide if allowing stigma to set the tone and mood for your life is really a good idea. I think it is not, but you cannot be expected to sort this out reasonably this early in a diagnosis – give yourself some time to grieve the old you without herpes before moving on to find the new you with herpes.

There are clinical trials beginning yes but that depends on where you live and a lot of other things as well. Most will not be available to you as you are asymptomatic.

Terri

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